MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has officially stripped the Duterte Youth party‑list of its registration, delivering a major blow to the group’s political standing despite its recent electoral success.

In a 2–1 ruling issued Wednesday, June 18, the Comelec sided with a petition filed in September 2019 by four private individuals, declaring Duterte Youth’s registration void from the start and censuring it for multiple violations—including illegal nominee substitutions, promoting violence, and undermining the entire party‑list system.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the Petition dated 03 September 2019 filed by Reeya Beatric Magtalas, Abigail Aleli Tan, Raainah Punzalan, and Aundell Ross Angcos is hereby granted,” the 25‑page decision, promulgated on Wednesday, said.

“The Petition for Registration of Duty to Energize the Republic through the enhancement of the Youth Sectoral Partylist organization, also known as Duterte Youth Party‑list, is cancelled,” COMELEC stressed.

No Expiration on Accountability

Duterte Youth argued that the petition was too late—arriving after they’d already won a congressional seat in 2019. But Comelec rejected this, affirming that there is no deadline for questioning a party‑list’s qualifications, since any such limit would “undermine the integrity and purpose” of the system.

Void from Day One

The ruling determined the group should never have been registered. It failed to publish its petition and hearing notices in two national newspapers—a requirement deemed constitutional. As the decision stated:

“Duterte Youth cannot hide under the convenient excuse” that the Commission had not required it to publish its Petition for registration or that the Commission has not set a hearing, as “it reflects poorly on the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability.”

Fraud ang Last-Minute Substitution

The tribunal cited material misrepresentation, noting that all five original nominees withdrew in 2019, after which chairman Ronald Cardema attempted to substitute himself—despite being over the legal age limit for youth representation. The group’s attempt to rebrand itself as representing “young professionals” was dismissed as “farfetched. Awareness of this fact cannot be opportunely denied.”

Violent Rhetoric Not Just Rhetoric

Comelec flagged social media posts that appeared to incite violence, including:

“Uubusin kayo ng Duterte Youth” and “Uubusin naming kayo sa lansangan kasama ang mga NPA comrades niyo.”

“These are not mere political rhetoric,” the poll body concluded. “They explicitly advocate for violence and unlawful action.”

Still Time for a Comeback

Though the ruling is scathing, it is not final. Duterte Youth may file a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec en banc. If the en banc reverses the decision, the group could still claim three congressional seats, having secured more than 2.3 million votes in the 2025 midterms—second only to Akbayan Party-list.

📷 Ate Cong Marie Cardema & USec. Ronald Cardema of Calamba City FB